Organo-phosphorus insecticide



United States Patent C) 3,116,201 (ERGANQ-PHOSPHORUS INSECTICIDE Richard Whetstone and Denham Harman, Orinda, Calif assignors to Shell Oil Company, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Feb. 29, 1952, Ser. No. 274,281 19 Claims. (Ci. 167--22) This invention pertains to novel insecticidally active esters of phosphorus acids and to a process for the preparation of the same.

More particularly, the invention pertains to neutral esters of beta-halogen-substituted alpha.,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols and acids of pentavalent phosphorus as new compositions of matter and to a process for the preparation of the novel esters. The invention includes novel insecticidal compositions comprising the esters to which the invention pertains and it further includes methods for combatting insects with the aid of the novel prodnets and compositions of the invention. This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending applications Serial No. 60,174, filed November 15, 1948, and Serial No. 138,705, filed January 14, 1950, both now abandoned, wherein products, compositions and methods of this invention were by us first described and claimed, said application Serial No. 138,706, being in turn a continuation-inpart of said application Serial No. 60,174.

The new phosphorus esters which are provided by this invention are the neutral esters of beta-halogen-substituted alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols with acids of pentavalent phosphorus. Expressed in other words, the new esters are neutral esters of acids of pentavalent phosphorus, wherein one acidic group of the phosphorus acid is combined in ester linkage with a beta-halogen-substituted alpha,betaolefinically unsaturated alcohol and any additional acidic function or functions of the phosphorus acid (i.e., when the phosphorus acid is one which is dibasic, or tribasic) is or are combined in ester linkage with the same or diiferent alcohols or phenols ROH. By the term acids of pentavalent phosphorus we refer to those phosphorus acids in which there is but a single phosphorus atom and that phosphorus atom is in the valence state which is commonly referred to as the pentavalent state. Phosphoric acid, the phosphonic acids and the thiophosphoric and thiophosphonic acids are acids of pentavalent phosphorus. 1n the neutral esters of this invention, each of the acidic groups, or OH or --SH groups directly linked to the phosphorus atom of the phosphorus acid, is combined in ester linkage, one by replacement of the acidic hydrogen by the alcohol residue of a beta-halogen-substituted alpha, beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohol, and (when the phosphorus acid is a polybasic phosphorus acid) the other or others by the residue or residues R of the same or different alcohols or phenols l 'Ol-I. Illustrative of but not restrictive of the novel esters of phosphorus acids of the invention are the following: beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate, beta,beta-dichlo-ro-alpha-phenylvinyl dip-ropyl phosphate, beta-chloro-beta-propionylvinyl diethoxyethyl phosphate, beta-chlorovinyl ethyl benzenephosphonate, beta,beta-dibromovinyl 3-(p-chlorophenoXy)-2- chlorop-ropyl ethyl phosphate, and beta,be=ta-dibromovinyl dibenzenephosphonate.

ice

The class structure of the novel esters of the invention may be represented by the structural formula in which R represents the residue R of a beta-halogensubst-ituted al-pha,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohol ROH, R represents the residue R of an alcohol or phenol ROH, and R represents an organic radical which is directly bonded to the phosphorus atom by a phosphorus-tocarbon bond, and each X represents an atom of a nonmetallic chalcogen element, i.e., oxygen or sulfur. The letters in and n each represent integral numbers having values from 0 to 2, inclusive, and m+n=2.

In the beta-halogemsubstituted alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols the alcoholic hydroxyl group is directly linked to an olefinic carbon atom. This carbon atom is designated the alpha carbon atom. The alpha carbon atom is directly linked by an olefinic bond to a second olefinic carbon atom which is designated the beta carbon atom. The beta carbon atom bears at. least one atom of halogen directly linked thereto. ht will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in a number of cases the beta-halogen-substituted alpha,beta-olefinical1y unsaturated alcohol will not be susceptible to isolation in the free state. Just as the vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate, can be referred to as being'esters of vinyl alcohol, which is not susceptible to isolation in the free state, so can the present esters be referred to as being esters of the betahalogen-substituted alpha,be=ta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols regardless of whether the alcoohl per se is capable of existence in the free state. It is not intended to limit the invention according to whether the beta-halogen-substituted alphabetaolefinically unsaturated alcohol is one which is known in the free state or, like vinyl alcohol, is one which is known only in the 'form of its derivatives, such as its esters.

A more limited group of the novel phosphorus esters of this invention may be defined by the formula Hal in which R, R", X, m and n are defined as above, Hal represents an atom of halogen, Z represents an atom of hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group, inclusive of substituted hydrocarbon groups, and Y represents halogen or Z. In those phosphorus esters of the invention in which Y represents halogen, the atoms of halogen represented by X and Y may be the same halogen or they may be different halogens. As the halogens there are contemplated bromine, fluorine, chlorine, and iodine; bromine, chlorine and fluorine being the particularly preferred halogens.

Although the generic invention is to be clearly understood as being not limited thereto, a particularly valuable sub-group of the novel phosphorus esters of the invention is the esters of (l) the beta-halogen-substituted alphabetaaolefinically unsaturated alcohols with (2.) the acid diesters of phosphoric acid; i.e., the esters of betahalogen-substituted alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols with those monobasic acids which are derived from H PO by esterification of two only of the three acid groups. A second valuable sub-group of the novel phosphorus esters of the invention are the esters of (1) betahalogen-substituted alph-a,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols with (2) the acid phosphonic esters; i.e., with the monobasic acids which are derived from the primary phos phonic acids by esterification of one only of the two acid groups. A third valuable sub-group are the esters of (l) the beta halogen-substituted alpha, beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols with (2) the secondary phosphonic acids. Of panticular interest and value are the novel phosphorus esters of the invention in which the alcohol residues each contain not more than about 18 carbon atoms.

The residues R in the foregoing generic formulas may be the residues of any monohydric or polyhydric alcohol or phenol, R'OH. In the esters of tribasic acids of phosphorus (e.g., in the novel phosphates of the invention) the residues represented by R may be the same or diiierent or they may form together the divalent residue -ORO of a 1,2- or 1,3-dihydric alcohol or glycol. Illustrative alcohols and phenols, the residues of which are represented by the R groups of the foregoing formulas, include among others the aliphatic alcohols, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, allyl, butyl, crotyl, sec-butyl, the amyl, the hexyl, the octyl, the nonyl, the decyl, the tetradecyl, and the octadecyl alcohols, the cycloaliphatic alcohols, such as cyclohexanol, 3,3,S-trimethylcyclohexanol, and cyclopentanol, heterocyclic alcohols, such as furfuryl alcohol, polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, and 1,2-octanediol, and phenols and aromatic alcohols, such as phenol, 4-ethylphenol, 3,5-dimethylphenol, 2,3,5-trimethylphenol, p-tbutyl phenol, phenethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and the like, and their various homologs and analogs. Although R ordinarily represents the residue of an unsubstituted alcohol or phenol, substituents may be present. Substituents suitable to the objects of the invention include, among others, halogen, alkoxy, nitro, nitrilo, aryloxy, carboalkoxy, and carbonyl. Illustrative of alcohols and phenols containing such substituents are 2,3-dichloropropanol, 3- methoxypropanol, beta-chloroallyl alcohol, methoxyethoxyethanol, 3-carbethoxypropanol, 4-nitrooutanol, 3-cyanopropanol, 2-oXo-4-methylpentanol, 2,3-diphenoxypropanol, nitrophenol, p-methoxyphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, ethyl salicylate, and like alcohols and phenols which are substituted to a minor extent by substituents which do not alter the essentially alcoholic or phenolic function of the alcohol or phenol.

The hydrocarbon group or groups which are represented by Y and/ or Z are the unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups and the hydrocarbon groups which include one or more substituents on or within their structure. Unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups which are represented by Y and Z include the alkyl groups, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, the butyls, the pentyls, the amyls, the hexyls, the octyls, and their higher homologs, the aryl groups, such as phenyl, tolyl, naphthyl, and the like, aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups, such as allyl and crotyl, and cycloaliphatic groups, such as cyclohexyl and cyclopentyl. The hydrocarbon groups represented by Y and Z can be substituted by or contain within their structure one or more substituent groups or atoms such as keto carbonyloxy (OCO-), oxy (O), halogen, nitrilo, nitro, mercapto (-S), and the like, as in the carbethoxy, carbethoxyethyl, butoxypropyl, methoxyethoxyethyl, acetyl, propionyl, chlorobenzoyl, cyano, butyryl, or like groups.

In the phosphonates of the invention the organic group or groups represented by R" may be alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl, which gorups may be substituted as by halogen, alkoxy, aryloxy, carboalkoxy, nitro, nitrilo, carbonyl, or like substituent groups or atoms. The preferred phosphonates are those in which the group or groups represented by R is or are an aryl group or aryl groups.

In accordance with the invention as it pertains to the process of manufacture the hereinbefore and hereinafter described neutral esters of beta-halogen-substituted alpha,

beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohols with oXy-acids of pentavalent phosphorus are prepared directly by a novel reaction effected between halogen-substituted carbonyl compounds (i.e., aldehydes and ketones) having a plurality of atoms of the same or of different halogens directly substituted on a single atom of carbon which is in the alpha position with respect to an aldehydic or ketonic carbonyl group and a neutral ester of an acid of trivalent phosphorus. The reaction, which has been found to be of broad applicability, is illustrated but not limited by the following equations:

CClaCHO (Ct sms Chloral Tributyl phcsphitc C C1z=CH-OP (O C4H9)2 C4H9Cl Beta, beta-diehlorovinyl Butyl dibuytl phosphate chloride ii 0013C CH3 (C3II70)2PCGH5 Trichloro- Dipropyl benzene acetone phosphonite n C C1z=C-O-P--C H 0311701 Bcta,heta-dichloroalpha- Propyl methylvinyl propyl chloride bcnzencphosphonate 021150 0 C 0126 0 06115 (CiHtO) P (0615):

Oarbethoxy dichloro Butyl dibenzeneacctophenone phosyhinite CoHfi fi CzH O O C Ol=O-O-P--C H C H Cl Beta-chloro-bcta-carbethoxy- Butyl alpha-phenylviuyl dibenchloride zenephosphonate CHz-O r-o-otrraou 00130110 (|3H0 CHzOCsH 2-dichlorophcnoxy- Chloral 4-phenoxymethyl-l,3,2-

dioxaphospholane i C gHy-Q-C IIZC HC1CHzO- OC:1I'I3C1g OOH=C Cl:

Beta, beta-dichlorovinyl dichlorophenyl 3-phen0Xy-2-ehloropropyl phosphate From the foregoing equations it will be seen that the novel reaction can be described as leading to (l) displacement of one alcohol residue from the ester of the acid of trivalent phosphorus by the residue of the beta-halogensubstituted alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohol which corresponds to the enolic form of the halogen-substituted carbonyl compound having one less alpha halogen than the halogen-substituted carbonyl compound actually employed and (2) to conversion of the phosphorus atom to a valency greater than three. With acylic esters of trivalent phosphorus the alcohol residue displaced from the phosphorus reactant appears as evolved halogen ester. With the cyclic esters the reaction leading to splitting of the ring leads to no evolution of a separate molecule of halogen ester.

As the halogen-substituted carbonyl compound there may be employed any halogen-substituted aldehyde or ketonc containing a plurality (i.e., from two to three, inclusive) of atoms of halogen directly substituted on a single carbon atom in the alpha position to a 'ketonic or aldehydic carbonyl group. Suitable alpha-polyhalogeno aldehydes and ketones include: monoaldehydes and menoketones having as the only substituents a plurality of atoms of halogen substituted on a single carbon atom which is adjacent to the carbonyl group, such as chloral, dichlorofiuoroacetaldehyde, bromal, 1,1,1-trichloroace tone, 1,1,1-tribromoacetone, triiodoacetaldchyde, trichloroacetophenone, dichloroacetophenone, dichloroacetaldehyde, alpha,alpha-dichloropropionaldehyde, alphafluoroalpha-chloropropionaldehyde, 3,3-dibromo-2-octanone, 1, 1,1-trichloro-2-hexanone, trichloroacetonaphthone, alpha, alpha-dichlorobutyrophenone, 2,2-dichlorocyclohexanone, trichloromethyl cyclohexyl ketone, alpha,alpha-dibromobutyraldehyde, alpha,alpha-dichloro-beta-phenylpropionaldehyde, 2,2-dichloro-4-ethyloctanal, and homologs and analogs thereof; monoketones having a plurality of atoms of halogen substituted on each of the two carbon atoms adjacent to the carbonyl group, such as perchloroacetone, 1,1,1,3,3-pentachloro-2-butanone, and 2,2,4,4-tetrachloro- S-pentanone, and homologs and analogs thereof; polyaldehydes, polyketones, and ketoaldehydes having a plurality of atoms of halogen substituted on one only or on each of more than one of the carbon atoms adjacent to aldehydic or ketonic carbonyl groups, such as 3,3-dichloroheptane-2,4-dione, 3,3 dichloropentane-Z,4-dione, 1,1,1-trichloropentane-2,4-dione, l,1,1,6,6,6 hexachlorohexane-2,5-dione, alpha,alpha,alpha,alpha tetrachloroglut-araldehyde, 1,1,l-trichlorobutane-2-one-4-al, trichloropyruvic aldehyde and homologs and analogs thereof; alpha-polyhalogeno aldehydes and ketones, containing one or more atoms of halogen in addition to those substituted in the alpha position to carbonyl, such as perchloropropionaldehyde, alpha,alpha,beta trichloropropionaldehyde, alpha-chloro-alpha,gamma dibromobutyraldehyde, perchloroacetophenone, 2,4-alpha,alpha-tetrachloroacetophenone, perchloro methyl ethyl ketone, 2,2, 6,6,6-pentachlorohexanal, and 1,1,1-trichloro-4-bromo- 2,6-heptanedione and homologs and analogs thereof; and alpha-polyhalogeno aldehydes and ketones which contain in their structure in addition to the ketonic and/or aldehydic carbonyl groups and halogen one or more inert or chemically reactive substituents such as carbonyloxy (-OOC-), oxy (O), ni-tro, mercapto (--S), nitrilo, and the like. Substituted alpha-polyhalogeno aldehydes and ketones which can be employed in accordance with the invention include among others the following: ethyl cyanoacetyldichloroacetate, 4-nitro-3-bromoalpha,alpha-dichloroacetophenone, 2,2-dibromo-5-methylmercaptopentanal, 6-hydroxy-3,3-dibromo 2 hexanone, ethyl acetyldichloroacetate, butyl propionyldichloroacetate, 2,2-dich1oro-4-methoxybutanal, and 2,2-dibromo-3- furfurylpropanal.

As the phosphorus-containing reactant there is employed a neutral ester of an acid of trivalent phosphorus, e.g., a neutral phosphite or triester of phosphorous or a thiopnosphorous acid, a phosphonite or thiophosphonite, or a phosphinite or thiophosphinite. Suitable phosphoruscontaining compounds will have structures defined by the formula in which R,R", and X are defined as hereinabove and p represents one of the numbers 1, 2 and 3, and q=3p. Phosphites which can be employed include the neutral phosphites of the lower aliphatic alcohols, such as trimethyl phosphite, triethyl phosphite, tributyl phosphite, methyl ethyl propyl phosphite, and other trialkyl phosphites wherein the alkyl groups preferably may each contain from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, cyclic pho phites of polyhydric alcohols, such as 2-ethoxy-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (ethyl 1,2-ethylene phosphite), 2-(3,5- dichlorophenoxy) -4 chloromethyl 1,3,2 dioxaphospholane, and 3-phenoxy-4acetoxymetl1yl- 1,3,2 dioxaphospholane, and aromatic phosphites, such as methyl diphenyl phosphite, ethyl 2,4-dichlorophenyl xylyl phosphite, and butyl pentachlorophenyl phenyl phosphite. Phosphonites and phosphinites which may be employed contain one or two, respectively, organic groups directly bonded to the phosphorus atom by a phosphorus-to-carbon linkage, such as a hydrocarbon group or groups, or a hydrocarbon group or groups substituted to a minor extent by chemically inert or non-functional atoms or groups which do not alter the essentially hydrocarbon character of the hydrocarbon group. Suitable phosphonites and phosphinites include among others the following: diethyl benzenephosphonite, dibutyl butanephosphonite, dioctyl butanephosphonite, ethyl pentyl p-chlorobenzenephosphonite, butyl dibenzenephosphinite, and amyl benzene(butane)- phosphinite. Thiophosphites, thiophosphonites, and thiophosphinites analogous to the foregoing wherein one or more of the oxygen atoms bonded to the phosphorus atom is or are replaced by divalent sulfur, may be employed according to the generic invention, the preferred phosphorus-containing reactants being the esters of the oxy-acids of trivalent phosphorus. In general, the phosphorus-containing reactant advantageously is one in which at least one of the esterifying groups or alcohol residues is the residue of a lower aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are the neutral esters of H PO with aliphatic alcohols which neutral esters contain from 3 to 30 carbon atoms, inclusive, per molecule, although it will be understood that the generic invention is not limited to this preferred subgroup.

The novel reaction can be carried out simply by mixing the selected reactants and thereafter maintaining the reaction mixture at reaction temperature. Temperatures upwards from 10 C. can be used, up to temperatures as high as 150 C. or more. The reaction is exothermic and in some cases may tend to be violent. The reaction can be controlled and the temperature maintained at the desired level by slowly adding one of the reactants to the other, by employing an inert diluent or solvent, such as a hydrocarbon solvent, e.g., pentane, nonane, decane, benzene, toluene, mesitylene, or an ethereal solvent, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, or dioxane, or by other techniques which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Evolved halogen ester, e.g., alkyl halide, desirably is removed substantially as rapidly as formed. For example, the reaction may be conducted at the boiling point of the reaction mixture and the evolved halogen ester fractionated from the vapors and withdrawn from the system as it is formed in the reaction.

The reactants usually are employed in about equimolar quantities, although lesser amounts of either reactant may be employed. -A broad applicable range of mole ratios between the reactants is 10:1 to 1:10. The: preferred range is 2:1 to 1:2. The process can be carried out batchwise, semicontinuously, or continuously. The time required for completion of the reaction is in most cases relatively short, e.g., from 10 minutes to an hour or two, although the reaction time can be varied as required.

The phosphorus ester of the beta-halogen-substituted alpha,beta-olefinically unsaturated alcohol can be separated from the reaction mixture, when its separation is desired, by conventional techniques, such as distillation, extraction with selective solvents, or the like. Depending inter alia upon the intended use, separation of the product from the crude reaction mixture may be dispensed with entirely.

The following examples will illustrate certain of the many specific embodiments of the invention.

EXAMPLE I Beta,Beta-dichlorovinyl Diethyl Phosphate o C1:C=CH-O-i OC2H-5 O-CzHa There were charged to a three-necked flask equipped with power-driven stirrer, water-cooled reflux condenser,

and thermometer, grams of triethyl phosphite. There were slowly run into the flask 89 grams of chloral (trichloroacetaldehyde). During the addition of the chloral the reaction mixture was vigorously stirred and the temerature was held to a maximum of 50 C. by cooling as required. Ethyl chloride which was formed by the reaction was taken overhead from the reflux condenser. After a total reaction time of 50 minutes the reaction mixture was rapidly distilled under 56 mm. mercury pressure to yield 135 grams of crude, beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate distilling at about 111 C. The crude beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was redistilled at 5 mm. mercury pressure with collection of the main fraction, amounting to 121 grams, at 112.7 C. to 1l3.5 C. The redistilled beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, phos phorus and chlorine. Found: 29.1% C, 4.7% H, 12.5% P, 28.3% C1. Calculated: 28.93% C, 4.45% H, 12.4% P, 28.5% C1. The refractive index of the beta-betadichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was found to be 1.4475 (n 20/D). The structure of the beta-beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was confirmed by the characteristics of its infra-red absorption spectrum and by chlorination to produce alpha,beta,beta,beta-tetrachloroethyl diethyl phosphate. A 50 gram sample of the beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was chlorinated at about 30 C. until about 15 grams of chlorine had been taken up. The crude chlorination product was distilled in a fallingfilm molecular still at 110.8 C. under 1 10- mm. mercury pressure. There were obtained 22 grams of alpha,beta,beta,beta-tetrachloroethyl diethyl phosphate having a refractive index of 1.4712 (n 20/D). The alpha,beta,beta,beta-tetrachloroethyl diethyl phosphate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, phosphorus, and

chlorine. Found: 21.5% C, 3.2% H, 44.2% C1, 10.6% P. Calculated for (C H O) PO(OCHC1CCl 22.52% C, 3.47% H, 44.32% Cl, 9.68% P.

EXAMPLE II Beta,Beta-Dichlorovinyl Di-n-Butyl Phosphate O C12C=CH-O--OCH2CH2CH2CH:

OCH2CH2CH2CH3 Chloral was added dropwise with stirring and cooling to an equimolar amount of tributyl phosphite. A reaction time of about 45 minutes was employed, and during the reaction the temperature of the reaction mixture was held at about 60 C. to 70 C. n-Butyl chloride was evolved during the reaction and allowed to escape through the reflux condenser as it formed. The reaction mixture then was rapidly distilled from a Claisen flask. After separation of a small amount of forerun containing unconsumed reactants crude beta,beta-dichlorovinyl di-n-butyl phosphate was collected as the fraction distilling at about 87 C. to 150 C. underl to 2 mm. mercury pressure. Five hundred seventy-ive grams of the crude beta,beta-dichlorovinyl di-n-butyl phosphate were redistilled through a short packed column. There were collected 473 grams of beta,beta-dichlorovinyl din-butyl phosphate distilling between 132 C. under 2 mm. mercury pressure and 128 C. under 1 mm. mercury pressure.

EXAMPLE III Beta,Beta-Dichl0r0vinyl Di-n-But-yl Phosphate A further sample of beta,beta-dichlorovinyl di-n-butyl phosphate was prepared in 83% yield by reaction between 50 grams of tributyl phosphite and 29.4 grams of chloral followed by fractional distillation of the reaction mixture to recover the product. The beta,beta-dichlorovinyl di-n-butyl phosphate was a water-white liquid having a boiling point of 128 C. to 129 C. under 1 mm. mercury pressure and a refractive index (n ZO/D) of 1.4439. The beta,beta-dichlorovinyl di-n-butyl phosphate was analyzed for phosphorus and its molecular weight was determined cryoscopically in benzene.

Found: 10.7% P, molecular weight 302. 10.15% P, molecular weight 305.

Calculated:

To 112 grams of 3,3-dichloro-2,4-pentanedione there were slowly added 50 grams of triethyl phosphite. The vigorous reaction was controlled by regulating the rate of addition of the triethyl phosphite and by cooling of the reaction vessel. After all of the triethyl phosphite was added the reaction mixture was fractionally distilled with collection of beta-chloro-beta-acetylvinyl diethyl phosphite as the fraction distilling between 118 C. and 123 C. under 1 mm. mercury pressure. Refractive index (n 20/D), 1.4580 to 1.4613. The beta-chlorobeta-acetyl-alpha-methyl vinyl diethyl phosphate was analyzed for chlorine and phosphorus. Found: 12.6% and 12.6% C1, 11.8% and 11.8% P. Calculated for C H PO Cl: 13.10% Cl, 11.45% P.

EXAMPLE V Beta,Beta-Dich[orovinyl Dimethyl Phosphate There were charged to a three-necked glass flask equipped with water-cooled reflux condenser, thermometer, and power-driven stirrer 65 grams of trimethyl phosphite. Over a period of 40 minutes there were added to the trimethyl phosphite 77 grams of chloral. During the addition of the chloral the reaction mixture was stirred and the temperature of the mixture was held at 48 C. to 55 C. by cooling as required. Methyl chloride which was formed in the reaction was permitted to escape from the reaction vessel through the reflux condenser as rapidly as formed. After standing overnight at room temperature the reaction mixture was rapidly distilled from a Claisen flask with collection of a 108 gram cut of crude beta,beta-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate distilling at 83 C. under 2.3 mm. mercury pressure to C. under 0.3 mm. mercury pressure. Conversion of the applied reactants to the crude product was 94% of theory. The crude beta,beta-dichlorovinyl dirnethyl phosphate was redistilled through a short packed fractionating column with collection of an 87 gram fraction distilling between 81 C. and 82 C. under 1-2 mm. mercury pressure, refractive index (n 20/D) 1.4510. A smaller fraction amounting to 12 grams, was collected at 77 C. to 81 C. under 1-2 mm. mercury pressure and a bottoms fraction of 3 grams remained in the still kettle. The 6 grams unaccounted for represented handling losses and liquid hold-up in the column. The 87 gram fraction of beta-beta-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate was analyzed for carbonyl groups, carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and phosphorus. Found: carbonyl less than 0.1 equivalent per grams, 21.9% C, 3.3% H, 32.4% C1, 14.2% P. Calculated: 0.0 equivalent of carbonyl per 100 grams, 21.74% C, 3.19% H, 32.09% Cl and 14.02% P. The characteristics of the infra-red absorption spectrum of a sample of the beta,betadichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate confirmed the structure thereof.

EXAMPLE VI Beta,Beta-Dichlorovirzyl Diisopropyl Phosphate To a three-necked glass flask equipped with powerdriven stirrer, water-cooled reflux condenser, and thermometer there were charged 95 grams of triisopropyl phosphite. Sixty-seven grams of chloral were added to the triisopropyl phosphite over a period of 55 minutes. During the addition of the chloral the temperature of the mixture was held at 67 C. to 75 C. by cooling as required and the reaction mixture was vigorously stirred. During the reaction the system was maintained under a slight vacuum to promote distillaiton of the evolved isopropyl chloride and the evolved isopropyl chloride was taken overhead through the reflux condenser as evolved. After completion of the reaction the reaction mixture was rapidly distilled from a Claisen flask. The crude distillate fraction, collected between 52 C. and 124 C. under about 1 mm. mercury pressure, was redistilled through a short packed fractionation column with separation of a 46 gram fraction of beta-beta-dichlorovinyl diisopropyl phosphate distilling at 81 C. under 0.35 mm. mercury pressure to 78 C. under 0.2 mm. mercury pressure and having a refractive index (n /D) of 1.4422. The redistilled beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diisopropyl phosphate was analyzed for carbonyl, carbon, hydrogen, phosphorus and chlorine. Found: less than 0.03 equivalent of carbonyl per 100 grams, 34.7% C, 5.5% H. 25.9% C1, 11.2% P. Calculated: 0.0 equivalent of carbonyl per 100 grams, 34.67% C, 5.46% H, 25.59% Cl, 11.44% P.

EXAMPLE VII Beta,Beta-Dichlorovinyl Di-S a-Butyl Phosphate ll ono=o11-o-P--o-oH(oH )oar OCH(CH3) can To a threemecked glass fiask equipped with stirrer, thermometer, and reflux condenser there were charged 130 grams of tris(sec.-'outyl) phosphite. There then were added over a period of 50 minutes 77 grams of chloral.

The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained at about 70 C. to 85 C. by regulation of the rate of addition of the chloral. The reaction was carried out under an absolute pressure of about 180 mm. mercury to facilitate distillation of the by-product sec.-butyl chloride from the reaction mixture as it formed therein. The reaction mixture then was rapidly fractionally distilled from a Claisen flask under 1 mm. mercury pressure. The distillate, boiling between 93 C. and 123 C. was redistilled through a short packed fractionation column. Redistilled beta,beta-dichlorovinyl di-sec.-butyl phosphate was collected as the fraction distilling between 107 C. and 109.4 C. under 0.7 mm. mercury prmsure. Refractive index (n 20/D) 1.4465. The beta-beta-dichlorovinyl di-sec.-butyl phosphate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and phosphorus. Found: 39.9% C, 7.0% H, 22.1% Cl, 11.0% P. Calculated: 39.36% C. 6.28% H, 23.24% Cl, 10.15% P.

EXAMPLE VIII EetmBeta-Dichlorovinyl Ethyl Benzenephosphonare To a glass three-necked flask equipped with powerdriven stirrer, reflux condenser, and thermometer there were charged 114 grams of diethyl benzenephosphonite, C H -P(OC H Over a period of 55 minutes there were added to the flask 85 grams of chloral, the rate of addition of the chloral being so regulated that the temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained between about C. and 60 C. Ethyl chloride formed as a byproduct of the reaction was allowed to escape as it formed through the reflux condenser. The resulting mixture then was distilled in a falling-film molecular still at 98 C. under 1 10 mm. mercury pressure. There wereobtained 143 grams of beta,beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl benzenephosphon-ate as a water-white liquid distillate, representing a conversion of applied reactants to product of theory. The refractive index of the beta,beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl benzenephosphonate was found to be (n 20/D) 1.5242. The beta,beta-dichloroviny1 ethyl benzenephosphonate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and phos phorus. (Found: 43.3% C, 4.2% H, 24.4% C1, 11.3% P. Calculated: 42.73% C, 3.95% H, 25.23% 01, 11.02% P. The characteristics of its infra-red absorption spectrum confirmed the structure of the product.

EXAMPLE IX Be'ta,Beta-Dibromovinyl Diethyl Phosphate To the flask employed in preceding examples there were charged iiifty-nine grams of triethyl phosphite. There were slowly added grams of bromal (tribromoacetaldehyde) over a period of 55 minutes. During the first 50 minutes the heat liberated by the exothermic reaction warrned the mixture to 60 C. to 65 C. and the temperature was maintained in this range by regulating the rate of addition of the bromal. The temperature decreased during the last five minutes of addition of bromal. After all of the bromal was added the reaction mixture was warmed to 55 C. for five minutes. During the addition of the bromal the mixture was maintained under a moderate vacuum to facilitate the distillation of the byproduct ethyl bromide. A 106 gram portion of the reaction mixture was distilled in a falling-film molecular still at 82 C. under 1.5 10 mm. mercury pressure. There were obtained 96 grams of beta-beta-dibromovinyl diethyl phosphate as a pale yellow liquid having a refractive index (n 20/D) of 1.4818. This was redistilled in the molecular still at 56 C. under 4X10" mm. mercury pressure. There were collected 90 grams of purified beta,beta-dibromovinyl diethyl phosphate as a waterwhite liquid having a refractive index (n ZO/D) of 1.4810. The beta,beta-dibromovinyl diethyl phosphate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, phosphorus and bromine. Found: 21.9% C, 3.5% H, 47.0% Br, 9.6% P. Calculated: 21.32% C, 3.28% H, 9.17% P, 47.29% Br.

EXAMPLE X Beta-Chlorovinyl Diethyl Phosphate phosphate being collected as the fraction distilling at 116'" C. to 118 C. under 10 mm. mercury pressure. Refractive index of the beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was (n 20/D) 1.4352. A sample of the collected betachlorovinyl diethyl phosphate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, phosphorus, and chlorine. Found: 33.5% C, 5.7% H, 14.4% P, 17.3% C1. Calculated: 33.58% C, 5.64% H, 14.44% P, 16.52% Cl.

EXAMPLE XI Beta,Beta-Dichl0r0-Alpha-Plzenylvinyl Diethyl Phosphate C 5H5 O Employing the equipment described in preceding examples, 132 grams of trichloromethyl phenyl ketone were added to 100 grams of triethyl phosphite over a period of one-half hour. During the reaction the temperature was maintained at 20 C. to 4 C. by cooling as required. The reaction mixture then was stripped of unconsumed reactants by heating on the steam bath under about 1 to mm. mercury pressure leaving 200 grams of a clear amber liquid. This liquid was molecularly distilled in a fallingfilm molecular still at 56 C. under 5x10 mm. mercury pressure with removal of 23 grams of distillate. The remaining 164 grams of product then were molecularly distilled at 101 C. under 4 mm. mercury pressure. There were obtained 148 grams of beta,beta-dicl1loro-alpha phenylvinyl diethyl phosphate as a faintly yellow distillate having a refractive index (n 20/D) of 1.5188 and containing (by analysis) 22.1% C1, 43.6% C, 4.5% H, 9.5% P. Calculated: 21.8% C1, 44.32% C, 4.65% H, 9.53% P.

EXAMPLE XII Beta,Beta-Dichl0r0vinyl Methyl Benzenephosphonate 0 Cl:C=CHO-l OCH:

Employing the equipment described in preceding examples, 93 grams of chloral were added over a period of one-half hour to 107 grams of dimethyl benzenephosphonite. During the addition of the chloral the temperature of the mixture was held at 30 C. to 40 C. by cooling as required. Methyl chloride, formed as a byproduct of the reaction, was distilled from the reaction mixture as rapidly as formed therein. Upon completion of the reaction the reaction mixture was stripped of lowboiling components by heating on the steam bath under 2 mm. mercury pressure leaving 168 grams of crude product. The crude product was molecularly distilled at 80 C. and 1x1 0 mm. mercury pressure. Be ta,beta-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate was collected as a colorless distillate in the amount of 155 grams. Refractive index (n 20/D) was found to be 1.5320. The beta,betadichlorovinyl methyl benzenephosphonate was analyzed for chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen. Found: 26.4% C1, 39.4% C, 3.4% H. Calculated: 26.5% Cl, 40.47% C, and 3.39% H.

EXAMPLE XIII Beta-Chloro-Alpha-Phenylvinyl Diethyl Phosphate Employing the equipment described in preceding examples, 113 grams of dichloroacetophenone were added over a period of one-half hour to 100 grams of triethyl phosphite. During the addition of the dichloroacetophenone the temperature was maintained at 10 C. to 30 C. by cooling as required. The reaction mixture then was stripped by heating on the steam bath under about 2 mm. mercury pressure leaving a crude product consisting of 179 grams of a clear amber liquid. The liquid was molecularly distilled at 80 C. under about 6 1=0 mm. mercury pressure. There were collected 163 grams of betachloro-alpha-phenylvinyl diethyl phosphate as a clear liquid having a refractive index (n 20/D) of 1.5148. Analyses were as follows: Found: 12.9% Cl, 48.6% C, 5.5% H. Calculated: 12.2% C1, 49.57% C, 5.54% H.

EXAMPLE XIV Beta-Ch loro-B.eta-Carbe th0xy-A l pha-M ethy 1 vinyl Diethyl Phosphate C=O0POCzH Employing the equipment described in preceding examples, 119 grams of ethyl dichloroacetoacetate were added to 99.5 grams of triethyl phosphite over a period of 35 minutes. During the initial part of the reaction time the temperature increased slowly to 65 C. at which temperature a more vigorous exothermic reaction set in. Thereafter the temperature was allowed to increase to C. to C. and held at this level by regulation of the rate of addition of the ethyl dichloroacetoacetate. Ethyl chloride was evolved during the reaction and allowed to escape from the reaction mixture as formed. The resulting mixture was rapidly distilled from a Claisen flask with collection of a 166 gram fraction of crude beta-chloro-beta-carbethoxy-alpha-methylvinyl diethyl phosphate distilling at C. to 1137" C. under 0.5 to 1.5 mm. mercury pressure. The crude product was redistilled with collection of 111 grams of product distilling at 123 C. to 126 C. under 0.15 mm. mercury pressure. The redistilled beta-chloro-beta-carbethoXy-alpha-methylvinyl diethyl phosphate was analyzed for carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and phosphorus. Found: 39.8% C, 10.4% P, 6.2%

H, 11.9% Cl. Calculated: 10.30% P, 39.94% C, 6.03% H, 11.79% C1. The infra-red absorption spectrum of the product contained absorption bands characteristic of the carbonyl group and of an ester linkage conjugate to a C=C linkage and the typical C=C absorption band was shifted from its normal position as would be expected from the presence of the chlorine substituent. The absorption spectrum showed bands characteristic of the P=0, PO-C and C-OC linkages.

EXAMPLE XV Beta,Beta-Dichlorovirzyl Ethyl B tmGammfl-Dichloropropyl Phosphate 4 chloromethyl 2-chloro 1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (3- chloro- 1,2-propylene chlorophosphite) was prepared by reaction of glycerol alpha-monochlorohydrin with phosphorus trichloride, and was reacted in turn with ethanol to produce 2-ethoxy-4-chloromethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane. Employing the equipment described in preceding examples, 92.3 grams of 2-ethoxy-4-chloromethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane were added over a period of 45 minutes to 73.7 grams of chloral. After the addition was cornpleted the mixture was warmed to C. to C. under 200 mm. mercury pressure for 2 hours. Volatilized materials were collected in a cold trap suitably connected to the reaction vessel. There were collected 7.5 grams of ethyl chloride. The crude reaction mixture was fractionally distilled under 0.5 mm. mercury pressure with collection of 14 grams distillate (40 C. to 128 C.). The 128 grams of residue from the distillation were molecularly distilled at 132 C. under 1 10- mm. mercury pressure. There were collected 96.5 grams of distilled beta-beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl beta-gamma-dichloropropyl phosphate. Found: 24.6% C, 3.4% H, 9.6% P, 42.3% C1. Calculated: 25.3% C, 3.3% H, 9.3% P, 42.8% C1. The reaction leading to the formation of this product may be written as in the following equation:

It will be noted that no ethyl chloride is formed in this reactlon. The observed formation of a small amount of ethyl chloride can be accounted for by the occurrence to a minor extent of the following reaction:

EXAMPLE XVI Beta,Beta-Dichlorvinyl Ethyl Gamma-Phenoxy-Beta- Chloropropyl Phosphate 4 phenoxymethyl 2 chloro 1,3,2 dioxaphospholane (phenyl glycerol alpha-monoether cyclo-chlorophosphite) was prepared by reaction of phenyl glycerol alpharnonoether with phosphorus trichloride, and was reacted in turn with ethanol to produce 2-ethoxy-4-phenoxymethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane. Employing the equipment described in preceding examples, 100 grams of the 2- ethoxy-4-phenoxymethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane were added over a period of 45 minutes to 60.9 grams of chloral. After the addition was completed the mixture was warmed to 190 C. for 1 hour, 6.5 grams of volatilized ethyl chloride being collected in a cold-trap suitably connected to the reaction vessel. The reaction mixture then was fractionally distilled with collection of cc. of distillate between 91 C. and 182 C. under 05 mm. mercury. The residue from the distillation, amounting to 143 grams, was molecularly distilled with collection of 110 grams of distillate at 132 C. under 1 10- mm. mercury pressure. The distillate was found by analyses to be beta,beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl gamma-phenoxy-betachloropropyl phosphate. Found: 39.6% C, 4.5% H, 8.1% P, 26.4% C1. Calculated: 40.0% C, 4.1% H, 7.95% P, 27.3% C1. "The reaction leading to the formation of this product may be written as in the following equation:

CH2O

POC2H5 00130110 The formation of the observed small amount of ethyl chloride can be accounted for by the occurrence to a minor extent of the reaction described by the following equation:

Employing the apparatus described in preceding examples, 14.7 grams of chloral were added to 21.5 grams of diethyl phenyl phosphite over a period of about 25 minutes. During the addition the temperature of the mixture was held at about 20 C. by cooling as required. The crude mixture was stripped by heating to C. under mm. mercury pressure and the non-volatilized portion (about 30' grams) was molecularly distilled at 110 C. under 5 l0 mm. mercury pressure. There were obtained 26.5 grams of beta,beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl phenyl phosphate as a colorless liquid having a refractive index (n ZO/ D) of 1.5024. The beta,beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl phenyl phosphate was analyzed. Found: 10.4% P, 23.2% C1. Calculated: 10.4% P, 23.8% Cl.

The novel esters of beta-halogeno-vinyl alcohols with oxyacids of phosphorus acids provided by this invention have been found to be characterized by a high toxicity towards insects, such that the novel esters of the invention find extensive utility as insecticides. By the term insect we intend to include not only the members of the class lnsecta but also related or similar non-vertebrate animal organisms belonging to allied classes of arthropods and including mites, ticks, spiders, wood lice, and the like. The novel esters of the invention can be used eitectively for eradication of insects and similar pests and for protection against the ravages of insects and similar pests.

IFor employing the novel esters of the invention in combatting insects and similar pests there can be employed the usual procedures familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, the agents may be sprayed or otherwise applied in the form of solutions or dispersions, or adsorbed on inert finely divided solids and applied as dusts. Solutions of the novel insecticides suitable for application by spraying, brushing, dipping, or the like, can be prepared using as the solvent any of the well-known horticultural carriers, such as kerosene, or similar light mineral oil distillates of intermediate viscosity and. volatility. Adj-uvants, such as spreading or wetting agents, may be included in the solutions, such as fatty acid soaps, rosin salts, saponins, gelatin, casein, or other proteinaceous material, or synthetic wetting agents of the type of sulfates of long-chain fatty alcohols, alkyl aryl sulfonates, longchain alkyl sul-fionates, phenol-ethylene oxide condensates, C to C amines and ammonium salts, and the like. The solution may be dispersed or emulsified in water and the resulting dispersion or emulsion applied as the spray. Solid carrier materials which can be employed include talc, bentonite, lime, gypsum, pyrophyllite, and the like inert solid diluents. The novel esters also may be applied as aerosols, as by dispersing them into the air by means of a compressed gas. The more volatile of the novel esters may be employed as fumigants, although they have only a low volatility and hence are less effective when employed in this manner. The toxic agents of the invention can also be applied in agricultural uses as systemic poisons, i.e., as insecticides which are translocated Within the living plant. 'When used in this manner the active agents are applied tothe soil in the vicinity of the growing plant which it is desired to protect and are absorbed from the soil by the plant, or they are applied directly to the plant, wherein they are distributed throughout the tissues with the result that the plant as a whole acquires toxicity to insects which consume its edible portions.

The concentration of the active ingredient to be used with the above carriers will be dependent upon many factors, such as the particular beta-halovinyl phosphorus ester which is used, the carrier in or upon which it is incorporated, the method and conditions of application, the insect species to be controlled, etc., the proper consideration of these factors being within the skill of those versed in the art. In general, the toxic ingredients of this invention will be effective in concentrations from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight, based upon the total weight of the composition, although depending upon the circumstances as little as about 0.00001% or as much as 2% or even more of the active ingredient may be employed.

The toxic agents of this invention may be employed as the sole toxic ingredient of the insecticidal composition or they may be employed in conjunction with other insecticidally active materials. Such other insecticidally active materials include, without being limited to, the naturally-occurring insecticides, such as pyrethnum, rotenone, sabadilla, and the like, as well as synthetic materials such as compounds of arsenic, lead, and/or fluorine; DDT, benzene hexachloride, thiodiphenylamine, cyanides, tetraethyl pyrophosphate, O,O-diethyl-O-p-nitro phenyl thiophosphate, azobenzene, and the like.

The following examples illustrate the preparation and use of the new insecticidal compositions containing the toxic agents of this invention, and the results obtainable through their use.

EXAMPLE XVI'II Solutions of products prepared in examples described hereinbefore were made up employing a neutral petroleum distillate boiling within the kerosene range as the solvent. The solutions were tested for toxicity against the 2-spot-ted mite, Tetranychus bz'maculatus, by spraying groups of plants infested with the insects under controlled conditions which varied from one test to the other only with respect to the identity of the toxic agent and its concentration. Thus, in each of the several tests the same total volume of spray was used. The following table shows the percentage of the insects in each group killed under the test conditions after having been sprayed with the specified concentrations of various beta-halo-vinyl phosphorus esters of this invention. The counts were made 24 hours after the application of the spray.

EXAMPLE XIX Similar tests were carried out using the pea aphid, Illinoia pisi, as the test insect The results shown in the following table were observed.

TABLE II Concen- Toxic Agent tration, Percent Percent ill Beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate 0.2 98 Beta,beta-dibromovinyl diethyl phosphate.. 0.2 94 Beta,beta-diehlorovinyl di-n-butyl phosphate. 0. 1 49 Beta-ehlorobeta-carbethoxy-alpha-rnethylvinyl diethyl phosphate 0.05 95 Beta,beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate.. 1 90 Beta,beta-dichlorow'nyl dimethyl phosphate. 1 90 Beta,beta-d1chlorovinyl ethyl benzenephosphonatc 1 99 Beta,beta-dichlorovinyl methyl benzenephosphonate .05 69 Be ta-chloro-alpha-phonylvinyl diethyl phosphate. 1 70 Beta,beta(lichlorovinyl ethyl phenyl phosphate... 1 93 I6 EXAMPLE XX Similar tests were carried out using the common housefly, M usca domestzca, as the test insect. The results shown in the following table were observed.

TABLE III Concen- Toxic Agent tration, Percent Percent Kill Beta,beta-dibromovl-1yl diethyl phosphate. 0. 01 93 Betabeta-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate. 0.1 100 Beta,betatlichlorovinyl diisopropyl phosphate. 0.02 72 Bota,bcta-dichlorovinyl ethyl benzonephosphonate. .01 88 Beta,beta-diehlorovinyl dicthylphospha 0.02 98 Beta,beta-dicl1lorovinyl dibutyl phosphate. 1 100 Beta,lteta-diehlorovinyl di-s-butyl phosphate. 0.5 81 Betachlorovinyl diethyl phosphate ()5 99 Beta,beta-dichloro-alpl1aphenylvinyl diethyl phosphate... 0.2 Beta,beta-diohlorovinyl methyl benzenephosphonate 0. 1 93 Beta-ohloi'o-alpha-phenylvinyl diethyl phosphate.. 1 90 Beta-ehloro-beta carbethoxy-alphamcthylvinyl diethyl phosphate 0.02 82 Beta,beta-dichlorovinyl ethyl 2,3dicl1loropropyl phosphate.-- 0.05 90 Beta,beta-(liclilorovinyl ethyl phenyl phosphate... 0.2 100 EXAMPLE XXI The LD for active agents of this invention was determined using the 2-spotted mite, the pea aphid, and the housefly as the test insects. The LD is the concentration of the toxic agent in a solvent at which under standard test conditions a 50% mortality of the insects in each test is observed. The results shown in the following table were obtained.

This example illustrates the systemic action of active agents of the invention. The tests were carried out by diluting 1% solutions of the active agents in acetone with water to yield the desired concentration. Young growing pinto bean plants infested with mites were carefully removed from the soil, the roots were washed with water, and the roots immersed in the test solution in a glass flask and the flask was stoppered with cotton around the stem of the plant. Mortality readings were taken after 48 hours. In the following table there are shown the concentration of the active agent in the test solution required to kill 50% of the insects on the infected plant upon 48 hours immersion of the roots in the solution.

TABLE V Concentration, p.p.m., Active agent: for LD Beta, beta-dichlorovinyl diethyl phosphate 3 Beta, beta-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate--- 12 Beta, beta-dibromovinyl diethyl phosphate 1.5

Beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate 0.75

EXAMPLE XXIII Cotton plants infested with mites (were treated by pouring an aqueous emulsion of beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate on the soil over the root systems of the plants. The emulsion contained 0.01% by Weight of beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate. After 48 hours a mortality count was made. Mortality of the mites was found to be 100%. In another case growing uninfested cotton plants were treated similarly. Two weeks after the treatment the plants were deliberately infested with mites and a mortality count was made 48 hours after the infestation. A 98% mortality of the mites was observed. The mortality of mites on untreated control plants infested and observed at the time the above tests were made was less than Similar results were observed with broccoli and with calendula as the test plants.

We claim as our invention:

1. A method for combating insects which comprises applying to the objects which are to be protected against the insects an insecticidal amount of a chloral-phosphite ester condensation product said product being prepared by adding together 1 mol of chloral and 1 mol of a phosphite ester of the general formula Iu-Y wherein each of R and R represents a radical selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals and chlorinated phenyl radicals, R represents a saturated aliphatic radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X, Y and Z are each a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, thus forming a condensation product.

2. A method for combating insects which comprises applying to objects which are to be protected against the insects an insecticidal amount of a chloralphosphite ester condensation product; said condensation product being formed by adding together 1 mol of chloral and 1 mol of phosphite ester of the general formula P-ORz wherein each of R and R represents a radical selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals and chlorinated phenyl radicals, R represents a saturated aliphatic radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

3. A method for combating insects which comprises applying to objects which are to be protected against the insects an insecticidal amount of a chloral-phosphite ester condensation product; said condensation product being formed by adding together 1 mol of chloral and 1 mol of phosphite ester of the general formula P-R ClI;-,O

wherein R represents a saturated aliphatic radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

4. A method for combating insects which comprises applying to the objects which are to be protected against the insects an insecticidal amount of a dusting powder which consists of 0.1 to percent by weight of the trimethyl phosphite-chloral condensation product, said condensation product being prepared by mixing together equirnoiecular proportions of trimethyl phosphite and chloral, and 99.9 to 90 percent by weight of a powdered inert carrier.

5. An insecticidal composition of matter which consists of a chloralphosphite ester condensation product; said condensation product being prepared by mixing together 1 mol of chloral and 1 mol of a phosphite ester of the general formula wherein each of R and R represents a radical selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals and chlorinated phenyl radicals, R represents a saturated aliphatic radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X, Y and Z are each a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, an organic solvent boiling at atmospheric pressure below 200 C., and an non ionogenic emulsifying agent.

6. An insecticidal dusting powder which consists of a chloral-phosphite ester condensation product said condensation product being prepared by adding together 1 mol of chloral and 1 mol of a phosphite ester of the general formula wherein each of R and R represents a radical selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals and chlorinated phenyl radicals, R represents a saturated aliphatic radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X, Y and Z are each a mernber selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, and a powdered inert carrier.

7. An insecticidal dusting powder which consists of 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of a trimethyl phosphitechloral condensation product, said condensation product being prepared by adding together equimolar proportions of trimethyl phosphite and chloral, and 99.9 to percent by weight of a powdered inert carrier.

8. An insecticidal composition comprising: an inert carrier material and as an active ingredient a phosphorus ester of the formula:

R O R3114 l l' o z l.na m

wherein R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of allryl, alkoxy, c hloroalkoxy, lower alkoxyalkoxy, phenoxychloroalkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy, each of R and R containing not over 18 carbon atoms, Hal is an atom of halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine, R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and aryl, and R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine and mo mine, alkyl, lower alkanoyl, chlorobenzoyl, and carbalkoxy, the group represented by R3 in C=G-Hal containing not over 18 carbon atoms.

9. An insecticidal composition comprising an inert carrier material and as an active ingredient beta,betadichlorovinyl dialkyl phosphate, the mkyl radicals thereof each containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

10. An insecticidal composition comprising an inert carrier material and as an active ingredient beta,beta.- dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate.

11. An insecticidal composition comprising an inert carrier material and as an active ingredient beta-monochlorovinyl diallryl phosphate wherein each of the alkyl radicals contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and in which the chlorine atom substituted on the beta carbon atom of the vinyl group is the sole substituent on the said vinyl radical.

12. An insecticidal composition comprising an inert carrier material and as an active ingredient beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate.

13. An insecticidal composition comprising an inert carrier material and as an active ingredient beta-monochlorovinylalphaarylvinyl dialkyl phosphate in which each of the alkyl radicals contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the chlorine atom and the aryl radical are the only substituents on the said vinyl radical, the beta-chloroalpha-arylvinyl group containing no more than 18 carbon atoms.

14. The method of combatting insects which comprises subjecting said insects to the action of a phosphorus ester of the formula:

R O R3 4 Rn wherein R and R are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoXy, chloroalkoxy, lower alkoxyalkoxy, phenoxychloroalkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy, each of R and R containing not over 18 carbon atoms, Hal is an atom of halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine, R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl and aryl, and R 2.0 subjecting said insects to the action of beta,beta-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate.

17. The method of combatting insects which comprises subjecting said insects to the action of beta-monochlorovinyl dialkyl phosphate wherein each of the alkyl radicals contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and in which the chlorine atom substituted on the beta carbon atom of the vinyl group is the sole snbstituent on the said vinyl radical.

18. The method of combatting insects which comprises subjecting said insects to the action of beta-chlorovinyl diethyl phosphate.

19. The method of combatting insects which comprises subjecting said insects to the action of beta-monochlorovinyl-aplha-arylvinyl dialkyl phosphate in which each of the alkyl radicals contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the chlorine atom and the aryl radical are the only substituents on the said vinyl radical, the beta-chloro-alphaarylvinyl group containing no more than 18 carbon atoms.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,425,766 Dock Fon Toy Aug. 19, 1947 2,557,805 Upson June 1 9, 1951 2,573,568 Harman et a1. Oct. 30, 1951 2,579,810 Fields Dec. 25, 1951 2,593,213 Stiles Apr. 15, 1952 2,631,162 Ladd et al Mar. 0, 1953 2,729,688 Saul Jan. 3, 1956 2,956,073 Whetstone Oct. 11, 1960 

14. THE METHOD OF COMBATTING INSECTS WHICH COMPRISES SUBJECTING SAID INSECTS TO THE ACTION OF A PHOSPHORUS ESTER OF THE FORMULA: 